Swimming glove



July 2, 1935.

G. w. CUSHMAN SWIMMING GLOVE Filed Sept. 20. 1954 mvsn non awn e IV. Law/1mm? BY :lmm" ATTORNEYS W'TNESSES. 56h. g a w Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to swimming gloves, and more particularly to a device adapted 'to be seecured on the back of the hand of the swimmer and which will greatly facilitate movement of the swimmer in the water.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which not only functions to provide an extensive service in movement in the water but also provides an air chamber so that it is buoyant and assists in sustaining the swimmer in the water.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can be manufactured and sold at an extremely low price and which will eiiiciently perform the functions for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which Will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure 1 is a view in elevation looking at the back of the device with a portion broken away to illustrate the interior thereof;

Figure 2 is a view in section on the line 2/2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in section taken on the same line as Figure 2, but showing the device in opera.- tive position on the hand of the user.

The device comprises an outer casing i, which is preferably of thin rubber and which forms an air-tight casing. Within the casing I a cup 2 is located. This cup 2 may be of the general shape shown, that is, circular in plan and arcuate in section, although it can take any shape desired. The casing l fits snugly around the cup and that portion of the casing which extends across the open edge of the cup constitutes a diaphragm 3. Openings 4 are provided in the cup to allow air in the casing to pass from within the cup to the outside of the cup when pressure on the diaphragm against the water displaces the air in the cup, but in any event it is to be noted that this air does not escape from the casing but merely passes from within the cup to the outside of the cup, and at all times gives a buoyancy to the device to help sustain the swimmer in the water.

This device is to be secured to the back of the swimmers hand, indicated generally by the reference character 5, and to facilitate this securing of the device I provide cross elastic bands 6 extending around the casing of the cup and which may be secured, if desired, in any approved manner. In placing the device on the hand of the operator it is simply necessary to insert the fingers between the elastic bands 6 and the diaphragm portion 3 of the casing l. The device will thus be resiliently held against the hand and the operator will be free to move the hand in the motion of swimming and floating.

The material employed is, of course, subject to modification but I preferably construct the cup 2 of aluminum for its lightness and strength, and the casing l is preferably of very light sheet rubher. The bands 6 are of suificient resiliency to insure the retention of the device on the back of the hand.

While I have illustrated what I believe to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that various slight changes may be made with regard to the form and arrangement of parts without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and altera. tions as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A swimming glove adapted to be secured to the back of a hand and comprising an elastic casing constituting an air chamber, means within the casing holding the casing distended, said means comprising an arched cup with the open side of the cup toward the back of the hand, and a portion of the elastic casing extending across the open portion of the cup and constituting a movable diaphragm.

2. A swimming glove adapted to be secured to the back of a hand and comprising an elastic casing constituting an air chamber, means within the casing hold ng the casing distended, said means comprising an arched cup with the open side of the cup toward the back of the hand, and a portion of the elastic casing extending across the open portion of the cup and constituting a movable diaphragm. said cup having openings therein for the passage of air from inside the cup to the outs de thereof, and vice versa, due to the movement of the diaphragm in its pressure against the water.

3. A swimming glove adapted to be secured to the back of a hand and comprising an elastic casing constituting an air chamber, means within. the casing holding the casing distended, said means comprising an arched cup with the open side of the cup toward the back of the hand, a portion of the elastic casing extending across the open portion of the cup and constituting a movable diaphragm, said cup having openings therein for the passage of air from inside the cup to the outside thereof, and vice versa, due to the movement of the diaphragm in its pressure against the water, and cross elastic bands around the casing, said bands adapted to clamp around the palm of the hand and secure the glove to the back thereof.

GEORGE W. CUSHMAN. 

